Young Entrepreneur Firmly Rooted In Agriculture

John Neely of Cannon County has been involved in agriculture for most of his life. He started showing livestock when he was five, and most recently was named the 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Swine Production. Now the 20 year old Neely is venturing into the livestock business joining his father in continuing Neely Livestock.

Thomas Capps
A national champion turned young entrepreneur. Hello and welcome to Tennessee Home and Farmer Radio, I'm Thomas Capps.

John Neely
It's definitely gonna be tough at times, but I have a lot of fun.

Thomas Capps
John Neely of Cannon County has been around agriculture his whole life. He's shown livestock since he was five and most recently was named the FFA, 2023 National proficiency winner in swine production.

John Neely
It was pretty big honor, I never thought I would win the swine production, I mean, United States is definitely a big honor. And it was a lot I've done a lot of work over the years helping my dad.

Thomas Capps
Now the 20 year old is venturing into the business side of agriculture partnering with his father to continue Neely Livestock.

John Neely
I ship sheep and goats and hogs and everything pretty much. I'm just now kind of starting out. I'm only moving about 600 a week or something nothing like my dad he does a lot more numbers than I do but I'm what I'm getting there.

Thomas Capps
Neely purchased his own sell barn in Woodbury last year. He says he's learned a lot in his first year of business.

John Neely
It's been a tough year starting now and I mean I'll be honest. I won't say it's been easy. It has been tough, you know, breakdowns, stuff, you know, stuff getting sick from the weather, the weather has been pretty weird this fall. Definitely just trying to keep up with everything and keeping everything in line and trying to get the sale barn that I purchased back in August back together that's been a sort of a huge challenge, just trying to manage all that.

Thomas Capps
From showing livestock and as you've been winning national awards in FFA, and now going into the livestock business nearly is firmly rooted in the agriculture industry.

John Neely
I mean, I'm trying to be the next generation in swine production and buying and selling and keeping packers happy and supplied because there's not a lot of people in it anymore there's not many small packing houses anymore, and it's kind of sad to see but I mean, you know, if you can keep pushing it, you know, maybe other people will get involved.Don't be afraid to take a chance because it can pay off and it may not pay off but I'm working on it. I kind of stepped off in it and took a chance and it's been alright so far.

Thomas Capps
For Tennessee Home and Farm Radio, I'm Thomas Capps. Thanks for listening, and have a great day.